Westonka Public Schools
Westonka Public Schools

WESTONKA News ~ November 22, 2013  

The Westonka Edge: Small school advantages, big school opportunities, real-life success stories!™
This Week's News
Borg Report
Chromebook Launch
Fall Musical Performances
MWHS Staff Appreciation
CLIMB Theatre
Feature Teacher
Westonka in the News
Sports Highlights
Community Ed. Classes
Upcoming Events
Quick Links





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Westonka Enters Sister School Agreement--
With Beijing Middle School
Staff Kevin Borg SuperintendentI recently had the opportunity to take an expenses-paid trip to China to attend the 2013 Beijing International Forum on People-to-People Friendship. My main goal was to expand Westonka's international exchange program to include online cultural exchange in our schools.
 
I am pleased to report that I signed a letter of intent to form a sister school relationship between the Westonka School District and Beijing Middle School No. 7. Please read the Borg Report to learn more.
 
Sincerely,
 
Kevin Borg, Superintendent
 
Excitement Builds Over EDGE21--
Chromebooks Arrive at Grandview

Excitement is building in the Westonka School District as teachers and students begin to see the new EDGE21 technology plan coming to life. Westonka educators gathered at Grandview Middle School for an all-day technology workshop on Nov. 11. The next day, eager Grandview fifth-graders received their own Google Chromebooks as a part of the district's 1:1 technology device program. 

 
'Copacabana' is a Hit!--
Four Sold-Out Shows
The Mound Westonka High School theater department presented four sold-out performances of Barry Manilow's "Copacabana" Nov. 7-10. 
 
Staff Shown Appreciation--
By MWHS Student Body
Students at Mound Westonka High School showed their appreciation for staff and teachers during American Education Week. The annual staff appreciation breakfast on Friday featured a raffle for gift cards, and all staff members received a water bottle featuring the White Hawks logo.
 
Students Learn Money Management Skills--
From 'Emma and the Allianz Cash Cow'
On Nov. 15, Hilltop and Shirley Hills primary school students were treated to a special program by the CLIMB Theatre of Inver Grove Heights. Students in grades 1-4 learned about the value of money and responsible money management with "Emma and the Allianz Cash Cow."
 
Westonka Congratulates Eric Rodelius--
Lord Fletcher's November Feature Teacher
Grandview Middle School teacher Eric Rodelius has been named the Lord Fletcher's Feature Teacher for November. Rodelius has taught sixth-grade at Grandview for 17 years. He is also a long-time White Hawks football and wrestling coach.
 
"Students can learn from Mr. Ro 24/7," Grandview Principal Christy Zachow said. "This seems impossible, considering how much time he puts in coaching as well. We are so glad to have him at GMS!" 
 
Westonka in the News
White Hawk girls swim relay at state
Mound Westonka swimmers participated in the 400-yard freestyle at the state meet on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the University of Minnesota.
 
Boys basketball prepares for season under new leadership 
Coach Tyler Biwan is the third coach in three years to lead the White Hawks. 
 
Westonka primaries use online galleries to showcase student artwork 
Hilltop and Shirley Hills primary schools are using an innovative tool to showcase student masterpieces. 
 
Student News 
Ryan Strother of Mound  was awarded a scholarship at Denison University in Ohio. Strother, a member of the class of 2017, received a Denison Alumni Award. 

Concert Choir to perform at state conference
The MWHS Concert Choir has been selected by recorded audition to perform at the 2013 American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota State Conference.

Alumni make contributions all over the country
While it has been an exciting fall sports season for local high schools in the Lake Minnetonka area, many alumni of those high schools had successful seasons playing at the college level.
Sports Highlights
White Hawks Relay Team--
Competes with State's Best
The Mound Westonka High School 400 Free Relay team of senior Sari Mailey, freshman Ryann Beyer, freshman Rhiannon Mailey and junior Hannah Daly competed at the 2013 MSHSL Girls Swim and Dive Championships this week at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. The White Hawks finished the race in a time of 3:45.66, just shy of a top-16 finish.
 
 
Westonka Football--
Earns Academic All-State Honors

Congratulations to the Mound Westonka High School varsity football team, which was selected as a 2013 Academic All-State Gold Team, and to MWHS senior Bryan Tierney, who was selected to the Individual Class 4A Academic All-State Football Team.

 

[Academic Gold]

  

White Hawks Wrestlers--

Ready for Next Step

The Mound Westonka High School wrestling squad will be building on previous years' successes and hopes to take it to the next level this season. 

 

[Ready to Wrestle]

 

   

Mound Westonka Wrestling Alumni--

Scrimmage and Get-Together

The Mound Westonka High School wrestling program will have it's first-ever Alumni Scrimmage and Get-Together on Friday, Nov. 29. The scrimmage will take place at 5 p.m. in the MWHS gym.

  

[Grapplers Return] 

 

Berger to Play D2 Basketball--

At Northern State University

Mound Westonka High School senior Brooke Berger made her college decision official Nov. 13, when she signed a National Letter of Intent to play NCAA Division II basketball at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. 

  

[D2 BBall

Next Week's Community Ed. Classes
Check out the Westonka Community Education Classes starting next week! 

For more information, visit www.westonkace.org or call 
(952) 491-8040.

11/25
 Turkey Time Parents & Children (ages birth-5)

 Pumpkin Pie Baking Made Simple
11/26
 Thanksgiving Sides (grades 1-4) - Shirley Hills
11/27
 Thanksgiving Sides (grades 1-4) - Hilltop
12/1
 Defensive Skills Camp (grades 2-4)

 Defensive Skills Camp (grades 5-7)

Upcoming Events

Friday, November 22

Boys Hockey at Greenway, 7:30

 

Saturday, November 23

Girls Hockey vs. East Grand Forks, Thaler Arena, 3:00

Boys Hockey at Hibbing, 5:00

 

Monday, November 25

Hilltop Toy, Hat and Mitten Drive Begins

ACT Practice Test Results Meeting for Parents, MWHS Theater, 7:00

 

Tuesday, November 26

Nordic Ski at Wirth Park, TBD

Boys Basketball vs. Simley, MWHS, 7:30

 

Thursday, November 28

Thanksgiving Day - No School

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Friday, November 29

Thanksgiving Break - No School

Girls Hockey vs. Alexandria, Thaler Arena, 3:00

Boys Hockey vs. Warroad, Thaler Arena, 7:00

No Westonka News

 

Saturday, November 30

Turkey Burn Wrestling Invitational, MWHS, 10:00

Boys Hockey vs. Lake of the Woods, Thaler Arena, 2:00

 

Looking Ahead

 

December 2

Hilltop Book Fair Begins

GMS Toy Drive Begins

 

December 3

Hilltop Concert, Grades 1 and 3

Nordic Ski at Wirth Park, TBD

Girls Hockey vs. Prior Lake, Thaler Arena, 7:00

Boys Basketball vs. Big Lake, MWHS, 7:30

Girls Basketball at Norwood Young America, 7:30

 

December 5

Distinguished Student Breakfast Grades 8 and 9, MWHS, 7:15

Hilltop Toy, Hat and Mitten Drive Ends

Hilltop Family Fun Night

Hilltop Science Fair

Boys Basketball at Wayzata, 7:00

Girls Hockey vs. Holy Family/Waconia at Victoria Ice Arena, 7:00

Girls Basketball vs. Mayer Lutheran, MWHS, 7:15

Boys Hockey at Irondale, 7:30

 

December 6

Distinguished Student Breakfast Grades 10 through 12, MWHS, 7:15

Gymnastics at Litchfield, 6:00

 

December 9

School Board Meeting

GMS Book Fair Begins

MWHS Winter Band Concert

 

December 10

7th Grade Band Concert

 

December 11

Senior Parent Financial Aid Night

 

December 12

5th and 6th Grade Band Concerts

 

December 13 and 14

Pop Singers Holiday Shows

 

December 14

ACT Test, MWHS, 8:00

 

December 16

MWHS Holiday Choir Concert

 

December 17

GMS Choir Concerts

 

December 20

Last day of school before winter break

Westonka News Contact

Feel free to contact me with suggestions or questions [email protected].

Becca Neuger
Communications Coordinator 
Westonka Public Schools

5901 Sunnyfield Rd E   

Minnetrista MN 55364

952.491.8003 | www.westonka.k12.mn.us 
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